The Story Behind The Winters Historical Mural Project

Since its founding in 2002, the Winters Participation Gallery (WPG), an arts nonprofit, has focused its support on emerging artists in the Winters area. What began as a brick and mortar organization, evolved into a “gallery without walls” when the Board decided to concentrate on murals created by students. Over the last five years, several Senior Capstone murals have been sponsored by WPG, and for the third summer, WPG is conducting a summer class titled “The Winters Historical Mural Project.” During the summer of 2018, the stunning mural on the east side of Lorenzo's Town and Country Market was created under the direction of professional muralist, Jaime Montiel. In 2019, Kate Humphrey, Winters High School art teacher coordinated the design phase of the project, and Jaime Montiel along with Cel Galabasa oversaw the implementation stage on the east and north walls of Winters Laundryworks. That mural depicts laundry through the ages and focuses on the diverse cultures that have been a part of Winters history. For 2020, following the safety protocols of the CDC due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Winters Participation Gallery, and eighteen students are painting the east wall of the John Rogers building which currently houses the Winters History Museum. Once again, Kate Humphrey will work with students on the design and Jaime Montiel and Cel Galabasa will coordinate the students during the implementation phase. The mural will be completed in early August.